What are some of the causes and risk factors to have an autism spectrum disorder?

      

What are some of the causes and risk factors to have an autism spectrum disorder?

  

Answers


Francis
There may be many different factors that make a child more likely to have an ASD, including environmental, biologic and genetic factors.
- Most scientists agree that genes are one of the risk factors that can make a person more likely to develop an ASD.
- Children who have a sibling or parent with an ASD are at a higher risk of also having an ASD.
- ASDs tend to occur more often in people who have certain genetic or chromosomal conditions. About 10% of children with ASDs also have been identified as having Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, or other genetic and chromosomal disorders.
- When taken during pregnancy, the prescription drugs valproic acid and thalidomide have been linked with a higher risk of ASDs.
- We know that the once common belief that poor parenting practices cause ASDs is not true.
- There is some evidence that the critical period for developing ASDs occurs before birth.
However, concerns about vaccines and infections have led researchers to consider risk factors before and after birth.
- A small percentage of children who are born prematurely or with low birth weight are at greater risk for having ASDs.
francis1897 answered the question on March 10, 2023 at 10:48


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